With playoff spots still up for grabs and no team completely out of contention, the 2024 Indian Premier League marches on amidst shattered hopes and unexpected comebacks. Kolkata Knight Riders have overtaken the table-topping Rajasthan Royals and sealed the first playoff berth, while the Mumbai Indians faced elimination as SunRisers Hyderabad defeated Lucknow Super Giants. Let's explore how each team can secure a spot in the playoffs. (Full Coverage)
Following match 60 of the IPL 2024, the leaders Kolkata Knight Riders with an 18-run victory against Mumbai - already eliminated from the competition. With a crucial 20-run victory against Rajasthan Royals, Delhi Capitals kept their hopes of reaching the knockout stage alive. Rishabh Pant's side currently occupies the fifth position with 12 points from 12 matches ahead of Lucknow Super Giants, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Punjab Kings, Mumbai Indians, and Gujarat Titans, in that order.
IPL 2024 Playoff Scenario After Match 60
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) IPL 2024 Playoff: CONFIRMED
Shreyas Iyer's side, following a resounding victory against Mumbai Indians and Lucknow Super Giants, has amassed 18 points from 12 games, continuing their domination over the points table. Among all the teams, Kolkata Knight Riders become the first to secure the IPL 2024 playoff spot on paper.
For the first time in the last three seasons, KKR have qualified for the playoffs. The team with two IPL trophies is once again poised to contend for the silverware.
Mumbai Indians (MI) IPL 2024 Playoff: ELIMINATED
Mumbai Indians are now eliminated from the IPL 2024 playoff race, after SunRisers Hyderabad's historical 10-wicket victory over Lucknow Super Giants.
Now, the team is left with 2 more matches against - Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Lucknow Super Giants. Even if they win both games, Hardik Pandya's side can only accumulate 12 points by the end of the league stage. However, there are already three teams boasting 14 points or more - KKR, RR, and SRH. Besides, the upcoming clash between LSG (12) and Delhi Capitals (12) will see one of them earning two points, surpassing MI.
At this stage, the only dream MI can see is to end the season on a high note, aiming for a shining moment amidst the darkest of their campaign.
Punjab Kings (PBKS) IPL 2024 Playoff: ELIMINATED
After their 60-run defeat in Dharamsala against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in match 58 of the season, Punjab Kings' hopes for the playoffs were dashed. Shikhar Dhawan's team are now officially eliminated. This season marked their 10th consecutive year of disappointment in the knockout match. The last time the Kings celebrated a playoff spot was in 2014, when they emerged as runners-up.
Gujarat Titans (GT) IPL 2024 Playoff Qualification Scenario:
Shubman Gill's team after beating Chennai Super Kings by 35 runs has jumped from the bottom to eighth place in the points table. With 10 points from 12 matches the Gujarat Titans' hopes for playoffs are alive but not solely within their control due to a woeful -1.063 NNR.
Now they must not only win their remaining two matches against - KKR and SRH but also hope for SRH, DC, and LSG to lose one of their matches and stay at 14 points. Even then the rival RCB with the same 10 points and a better NNR can challenge the Titans.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) IPL 2024 Qualification Scenario
Faf Du Plessis-led RCB, after securing a thumping 60-run victory against Punjab Kings have kept alive their playoffs hopes. With one of the strongest comebacks, securing victories in four consecutive matches, the team has climbed to seventh place with 10 points from 12 matches ahead of PBKS, MI, and GT.
Now, RCB must maintain their winning streak in their remaining two matches to earn 14 points. If the top three teams continue their winning run, the rest of the teams will only reach 12 points leaving RCB with a two-point advantage. This scenario could pave the way for Virat Kohli and co to enter the knockout stage of IPL 2024.
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) IPL 2024 Playoff Qualification Scenario
KL Rahul's side suffered a significant setback after a 98-run defeat against Kolkata Knight Riders and then another humiliating 10-wicket loss against SunRisers Hyderabad on May 8, Wednesday. Given this, they have now tumbled down four places to the sixth position with 12 points from 12 matches. Now the team is below KKR, RR, SRH CSK, and even DC in terms of NNR.
Lucknow Super Giants' path to securing a berth in the IPL 2024 playoffs appears to be in jeopardy. Out of their two remaining matches, they need to secure victory in both and will need either CSK or SRH out of contention.
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Delhi Capitals (DC) IPL 2024 Playoff Qualification Scenario
Rishabh Pant's side after their recent win over Rajasthan Royals has earned 12 points from 12 matches, currently residing in fifth place in the standings. The quest for a berth in the IPL 2024 playoffs now depends on the result of their remaining two matches against Lucknow Super Giants and SunRisers Hyderabad and it must be a victory!
SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) IPL 2024 Playoff Qualification Scenario
SRH's recent historical win over Lucknow Super Giants have handed the team 14 points and third place in the points table. They are now above CSK in terms of NNR.
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In order to secure a confirmed berth at the knockout stage of the 2024 IPL, SunRisers Hyderabad will have to win their upcoming match set against Gujarat Titans.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) IPL 2024 Playoff Qualification Scenario
Ruturaj Gaikwad's side currently placed fourth in the points table with 12 points from 12 matches, have high hopes for the IPL 2024 playoffs despite their recent loss to GT. Now, they need to win their remaining two matches against - RR and RCB.
However, the bowling lineup of the Chennai Super Kings have been hampered by the absence of Matheesha Pathirana, Mustafizur Rahman and Deepak Chahar. As they gear up to face the formidable Rajasthan Royals next, the five-time champions must demonstrate exceptional strength, a single defeat could jeopardize their chance.
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Rajasthan Royals (RR) IPL 2024 Playoff Qualification Scenario
Sanju Samson's side following their recent loss against Delhi Capitals is left with only 16 points from 10 matches and a second position in the points table. While they stand as the most genuine contenders for the playoffs, their berth is not yet confirmed. In no circumstances, must RR lose all their remaining four matches. Doing so will allow other teams to secure 18 points, which would still be 2 less than what the Royals have.
However, securing one more victory would undoubtedly solidify their position, and two victories would most likely confirm their spot in the knockout stage.
